Folding wheeled carrier for suitcases



Get. 14, 1952 Filed Aug. 6, 1948 E. P. BARTLETT FOLDING WHEELED CARRIER FOR SUITCASES 2 SHEETSSHEET l Eleanor R Bar Heft INVENTOR.

Get. 14, 1952 E. P. BARTLETT 2,613,950

FOLDING WHEELED CARRIER FOR SUITCASBS Filed Aug. 6, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 munmmmmlm 90 Eleanor F. Barf/eff INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 14, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT V 2,613,950" 'FDLDINGWHEELED CARRIER FoR -SUITCASES steam i Barnett, Dovf Foizidft, ap ueatian-nugtst 6, 1948;;Srial-No. 42,921 V This invention relates to new and; useful; improvementsin'wheeled carriagesfand the-primary object of: the present invention is to iprovideaan attachment for: suitcases,= baggages and the: like, thatwill facilitate av convenient wheeledation of the article on whichthe'samais ap'plied'..

Another important object-ofthe invention is to? provide: an attachment for suitcasesincludingiavno'vel and improved: wheel frame: that-will support the=suitcaseina position for movement andiwhich is" quickly and readily applied: to: or removed. from" the" suitcase; in a convenient: manher.)

Yet another important object of the present -.invention is. to; provide a noveland improved handle construction that is: quicklyand readily appliediin position to a suitcase" and: which is adjustable: to accommodate persons having arm lengthsofivarioussizes.

A 'further' object: of the present invention: is to provide an attachment for suitcases: and the like including; a: wheeled frame. and a handlerst'ructure, which is moufitableona suitcaseataselected point thereon to be used in moving or transporting the suitcase and which is positionable: relative tothe wheeledframe to retain the said suitcase-in a supported and elevated position against movement in which instance the handle construction would function as I a further support for thesuitca'se; I

A still further aim of thepresent-invention' is to provide an attachment for suitcases that is simple andzpra'cticalin construction, strong and reliable in use; neat and attractive in appearanoe small and compact in structure, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and; other-wise well adaptedfor the-purposes: for which the sameis intended;

Other objects and advantages r'esidein the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter: described and claimed; reference being. had to the accompanying drawings forming par-thereoflwherein like numerals refer to like partsthroughout, and in which:

Figure l is aperspective View of a suitcase'and showing the present invention applied thereto" for-usein wheeling the'saidsuitcase;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view-taken substantially through the center of thehandle structure used in conjunction with the present invention;

Figure -3 is-a-transversevertical-sectional View takensubstantially on the plane of section line 33 offligurez-y V Figure 4 is. a-fragmentary,-horizontaltransstrutiire o'f tii present invention e 7 main. (01. 280-) izl v I verse sectional v'ie w taken getstaiiuanv on the planeofsection line:4'--4'of-'Fi'gure Figure Sfis-a perspective viw of the wheeled frame used inconjunction with the present ingt n a Figure 6 is a longitudinal horilzd "tal'se'c'ftioiial view takensubstantially on the plane bisection in"5. :9 Figure 55L F'g-ure v is fragmentary e'r'stetive viewfjof one pqrti0 riof the suitcase used incoifilifitlon with the present'i'nviitio'n; f

Figure sis a-longitudinal vertical sectional iw taken substantially on the plane or se'tic irfline of Figure I 7; v Figure '9" is a. perspeenve n w" of are wheeled frame used in conjunction wit tlievpr e'seiitiiii- Veritioriinslightli .riio'difiedform, Figure 10 is a group perspeeuveif 7 handle supporting means used omun ion with the present invention, in" slightly mod fied closed a preferred embodiment dflthe' lifeseht invention," the numeral: HIT fpfs s'" the eluding a pair of substantially 'feetafn'gulaf'mner A pluralityof longitudinally spaced guiue ins IF are fixed to the" ihffef sectidn' I? and "'roict outwar s therefrom to' sli'daibly en age tudihal slot [8 provided staat y seour'edb'y 'dhesiv means "r'fthlike to the inner face of thesection- 12" a 5 'r'of substantially rectangular"stripsof'resi enjt' z iia'terial"26" havifig. serrated dftoo'thed bearingsurouter end ojf section l i'isnotehed and apertured at 32 to pivotally.ehgagefthefreduced 5 arcuate end portions-3450f a 'side'menfbelfl-prsec- 1 "1 99 we ih uesse ihq fidn; i notchedas at 38 and apertured as at'qjl ta pivotauye'ngage" the reduced arcuate end-42 oft- 9 1m ther side member or section.-

Fi' iedto the mne'r' -faces; of the side 'sections 36 and 44, by rivets or thelike- 45,-;orholding; plates erabl'y iorrnedgwith toothed or serrated-wearing surfaces 52. Theserivets-46 are provided with 3 substantially rectangular head portions 54 that slidably engage longitudinal slots 56 provided in a pair of side elements or straps 56.

Further guide pins 66 are also fixed to the sid sections 36 and 44 and engage these slots 56 to permit only longitudinal movement of the straps relative to the side sections 36 and 44.

Threaded studs integral with the heads or guides 54 receivably engage wing nuts 62 which are adjustable to bear against the straps 58 in order to adjustably retain the straps 58 in a selected extended position relative to the side sections 36 and 44.

An auxiliary, substantially channel shaped uide 64 is fixed to the side section 36 and slidably receives and supports the longitudinal movement of the strap 58 relative to the said side section 36.

A pair of slidably engaged concaval convexed hand gripping sections 66 and 68 are provided with reduced arcuate or looped outer terminals I6 that engage notches I2 in the upper ends of the straps 58 and openings or apertures I4 adjacent the upper ends of the straps 58, for pivotal movement of the straps 58 relative to the hand grips 66 and 68.

To prevent disengagement of the hand grips 66 and 68 from each other, there is provided a pair of detents or lugs I6 which are integral with one of the grips and which bear against the remaining grip.

A transverse bar I8 is fixed by welding or the like to the central portion of the inner section I2, between the pads or strips 26, and includes outwardly projecting terminal hooks 86 that will engage headed bolts or fasteners 82 that are removably carried by one end wall 84 of a suitcase or baggage 86.

Reference is now directed to Figures 5 and 6, wherein there is disclosed the wheeled frame portion of the present invention, which is designated generally by the numeral 88.. This wheeled frame 86 includes inner and outer sections 86 and 82 one of which, for example section 86 supports a plurality of guide pins 84 that slidably engage a guide opening or slot 86 provided in the remaining section, namely. section 82.

Pins 88 and I66 project from the section 86 and 82 to engage the ends of an elongated, resilient member or coil spring one of two that urges the sections 86 and 82 inwardly toward each other.

A pair of longitudinally spaced resilient pads I64 having serrated or toothed bearing surfaces are suitably fixed to the inner section 96 and a transverse anchor plate I66 is rigidly attached to the central portion of the inner section 86 and includes terminal hooks I68 that engage headed bolts (similar to 82) which are removably secured to the suitcase 86 with the pads I64 bearing against the said suitcase.

Laterally projecting arms H6 and H2 are integrally formed with the inner and outer sections 86 and 82 respectively, and are notched as at II4 to pivotally engage the reduced ends I I6 of a pair of holding members I I8.

Bearing pads I26 are fixed in any suitable manner to the members I I8 and bear against the outer surface of the suitcase 86, as shown best in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Transverse slots I22 are provided adjacent the outer ends of the sections 86 and 82, and the slots I22 pivotally engage the reduced ends I24 of a pair of side sections or members I26 which support stub axles I28 for rubber tired wheels I 36.

Plates I32 are fixed to the side members I26 and support resilient pads I34 having toothed or serrated bearing surfaces that will engage the outer surface of the suitcase 86.

In practical use of the present invention, the side sections 36 and 44 of the handle structure I6 are pulled outwardly away from each other and placed on opposite sides of the suitcase 86. The spring 26 will urge the said side sections 36 and 44 inwardly to bear against the outer faces of the suitcase 86, and the terminal hooks 86 are engaged with the fasteners 82 to prevent movement of the handle structure I6 relative to the suitcase. The wing nuts 62 are tightened when the hand grips 66 and 68 are disposed at a selected extended position relative to the sections I2 and I4.

The side sections or members I26 of the wheeled frame 88 are also pulled outwardly away from each other and are disposed on opposite sides of the suitcase 86, and diagonally from the handle structure I6 with the bearing elements I26 engaging the lower face of the suitcase 86, as shown best in Figure 1 of the drawings. The terminal hooks I68 of the anchor plate I66 are engaged with suitable fasteners 82 (not shown) which are secured to the normally lower or bottom wall of the suitcase 86.

It should be noted that the handle structure I6 may be placed in a selective position on the sui-t case 86, so that the hand grips 66 and 68 may cooperate with the wheeled frame 88 to support the suitcase 86 in an upright, substantially vertical position and raised above the ground surface or floor surface on which the wheels I36 and grips 66 and 68 bear.

Reference is now directed to Figure 9, wherein there is disclosed the wheel supporting frame in slightly modified form. In this embodiment, an angle member I36 is rigidly secured or removably secured by rivets, fasteners or the like to the lower corners of the suitcase 86. Stub axles I38 will project outwardly from the angle members I36 to support a suitable wheel similar to that disclosed by the numeral I36.

Figure 10 illustrates a modified embodiment of the handle supporting frame that will replace the inner and outer sections I6 and I2 and the side sections 36 and 44 pivotally secured thereto. This handle supporting element or handle member I46 is provided with a pair of integral guides or L-shaped brackets I42 that will slidably engage the straps 58. Projecting outwardly from the member I46, is an externally threaded rod or bolt I44 that receives the guide slots 56 provided in the straps 58. A holding nut I 46 and washer I 48 are received on the bolt I44 and bear against the outer surface of the straps 58 to retain the said straps in a longitudinally adjusted position relative to the member or members I46.

It is obvious that the members shown in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings are employed when it is desirable to manufacture a suitcase having a wheeled frame and handle structure permanently applied thereto. However, the said members I36 and I46 may be removably secured to a suitcase by merely inserting fasteners or the like through openings or apertures which are suitably provided in the said members.

Although illustrated in the drawings, the handle structure I6 is composed of sections which are hinged or pivoted together in a particular manner, it is obvious that the same could be so connected to each other as to permit the said handle construction to be completely collapsed, for shipment, transport or the like.

The above is likewise-truafon the heeled frame; 38 and it is obvious that the endsections in which instance it would notbe necessary to employ the anchoring members or fasteners 82.

In -view of the foregoing description takenin conjunctionwith. the accompanying drawings it isbelieved that acleaivund'erstanding of the construction, operation and advantages of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A suitcase attachment, said attachment comprising a wheeled frame removably secured to said suitcase, said Wheeled frame including inner and outer sections slidably connected together, an end section hinged to each of said inner and outer sections, a pressure member carried by each of said end sections, means urging said inner and outer sections inwardly toward each other for clamping said pressure members against the sides of a suitcase, means for anchoring said inner section to a suitcase, stub axles carried by said end sections below said pressure members, and wheels mounted on said stub axles, said inner and outer sections including lateral projections, and hinged pressure elements carried by said lateral projections.

2. A suitcase attachment comprising a pair of elongated juxtapositioned plates, said plates being disposed one above the other and including outer end portions, means slidably securing said plates together, means connecting said plates and yieldingly urging the outer ends of said plates toward each other, a pair of vertically swingable outer arms pivoted to the outer end portions of said plates, pressure members mounted on said arms, stub axles projecting laterally from said arms and paralleling the plates when the arms are disposed perpendicular to the plates, 2. Wheel on each stub axle, an anchor plate attached to one of said plates and overlying said pair of plates, a horizontal arm projecting laterally from each of said pair of plates, and pressure members pivoted to said horizontal arms for vertical swinging movement.

3. A suitcase attachment comprising a pair of elongated juxtapositioned plates, said plates being disposed one above the other and including outer end portions, means slidably securing said plates together, means connecting said plates and yieldingly urging the outer ends of said plates toward each other, a pair of vertically swingable outer arms pivoted to the outer end portions of said plates, pressure members mounted on said arms, stub axles projecting laterally from said arms and paralleling the plates when the arms are disposed perpendicular to the plates, a wheel on each stub axle, an anchor plate attached to one of said plates and overlying pair of plates, a horizontalarmprojecting later.-

ally from each of: saict :pair: of" plates, and; pres.

' sure members J pivoted-to said horizontal armsafor vertical: swinging movement, .said. connecting means including anfielongatedi spring: member underlying said pair of plates and term-inally secured totheouter end portions ofsaidpairof plates.

elongated juxtapositioned: plates, said" plates: be-

ing disposed one above the-other and including outer end portions, means slidably-securing said plates-together,means connecting said plates and yieldingly urging the outer ends of said plates toward each other, a pair" ofvertically swingablev outer arms. pivoted to they enter. endportions of said plates, pressurezmembers: mounted on said arms, stub axles projecting laterally from said arms and paralleling the plates when the arms are disposed perpendicular to the plates, a wheel on each stub axle, an anchor plate attached to one of said plates and overlying said pair of plates, a horizontal arm projecting laterally from each of said pair of plates, and pressure members pivoted to said horizontal arms for vertical swinging movement, said anchor plate being disposed transversely of said pair of plates and having terminal hooks overhanging said pair of plates.

5. An attachment for suitcases and the like comprising a pair of elongated upper and lower flat plates having outer end portions, said lower plate having an elongated guide slot therein, a pair of guide pins depending from the upper plate and slidably received in said slot, 9. pair of arms attached to the outer end portions of said plates, stub axles projecting outwardly from said arms, wheels on said stub axles, pressure pads on the arms, spring means yieldingly urging the arms toward each other to grip a structure between the pads, and a pair of substantially L-shaped members carried by said plates and cooperating with said arms for retaining a structure on said plates, said L-shaped members including horizontal legs fixed to and disposed at right angles to said arms, vertically swingable legs and hinge means joining said horizontal legs to said swingable legs.

6. An attachment for suitcases and the like comprising a pair of elongated upper and lower flat plates having outer end portions, said lower plate having an elongated guide slot therein, a pair of guide pins depending from the upper plate and slidably received in said slot, a pair of arms attached to the outer end portions of said plates, stub axles projecting outwardly from said arms, wheels on said stub axles, pressure pads on the arms, spring means yieldingly urging the arms toward each other to grip a structure between pads, and a pair of substantially L-shaped members carried by said plates and cooperating with said arms for retaining a structure on said plates, said L-shaped members including horizontal portions rigidly attached to said plates and projecting laterally from said plates, said L-shaped members also including outer sections pivotally secured to said horizontal portions and swingable vertically toward and away from said plates.

'7. A collapsible wheeled support for suitcases and the like comprising a pair of elongated and flat upper and lower juxtapositioned slidably connected plates having outer end portions, 2, pair of vertically swingable end members hinged to the outer end portions of said plates, pressure said pads carried by the end members, stub axles pro- 7 jeoting laterally from the outer faces of said end members and paralleling said plates when the end members are disposed perpendicular to the plates, wheels on said axles, a horizontal arm fixed to and projecting laterally from each plate,

ELEANOR P. BARTLETT.

having terminal hooks overhanging said plates.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date James Dec. 16, 1913 Hum Aug. 20, 1918 Lawlor Oct. 22, 1918 Mullendore Mar. 20, 1928 Fanger Sept. 4, 1928 McEnery Mar. 25, 1941 Hendrick Mar. 4, 1947 Pohl July 27, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain 1901 Great Britain 1911 

